Sheet sorting machine with electrical timing device



Aug. 28, 1951 J. Ff PETERS 2,566,246

- SHEET SORTING MACHINE WITH ELECTRICAL TIMING D EVICE Filed Nov. 6, 1947 v I5 Sheets-Sheet l J. F. PETERS Aug.l 2s, 1951 SHEET SORTING MACHINE WITH ELECTRICAL. TIMING DEVICE Filed Nov. 6. 1947 5 sheex'sfsheez 2 Q Mw. ma. Q S1.

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Aug. 28, 1951 l J. F. HETERS 2,566,246

SHEET SORTING MACHINE WITH ELECTRICAL TIMING DEVICE Filed Nov. 6, 1947 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR M im;

ATTORN EYS Patented ug. 28, Q

SHEET soR'rING MACIiINE WITHELEC- TRICAL 'rIMINeDEvIoE l John F. Peters, Leonia, N. J., assignorto-Ameri- A can Can Company,` New York,N. Y., a corporavtion of New Jersey Application Nvemlier s, 1947, serial Nc. 784,445

a sheet sorting machine of sheet delivery de- 'vices wherein delivery of a selected or classified sheet into its proper sorting station is effected in accordance with its dimensional or other characteristics and in `accordance with the distance of the station from the place of selection or classification of the sheet so that accuracy of delivery of the sheets may be obtained under high speed operating conditions.

Another object is the provision of such sheet delivery devices wherein the devices operate continuously for smooth and efficient operation and are merely set selectively for delivery of a classified sheet into its proper sorting station.

Another object is the provision of such sheet delivery devices wherein the devices are provided in multiple, arranged one at each station, and operated at different speeds in relation to their distance from the place of classification of the sheets to effect an accurate and reliable time delay action for delivery of a classified sheet into its proper sorting station.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the `invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in` connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sheet sortingV machine embodying the instant invention with parts broken away; the view including a wiring diagram of the electric apparatus used in the ma- Chine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along the line 2--2 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged details of a portion of the machine, illustrating certain of the movable parts in different positions, with parts broken back and shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the` machine shown in Fig. l, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the timing devicesillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, with parts broken back and shown insection; i Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 are diagrammatic views illustrating the cycle of operation of the various timing devices used in the machine `Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially along the line H-I l in Fig.11, with parts broken away; and v Fig.` 12 is a top plan view of the portion of the `machine shown in Fig. 11.

lAs a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate a machine-for classifying or gauging according to thickness, sheets Aof tin plate orrthe like materia1 and for-sorting them into `classified piles or stacks, although the invention is` equallywell adapted to machines for classifying sheets-otherwise, such as for `weight or length or width or hardness or strength, etc.,

and for sheetsof other materials, either metallic `or nonmetallic.

" In the machine, the sheets A are received `from 'any suitable source of supply -of sheets of various thicknesses and are fed oneata'time into a classifier or thickness gaugeB located at the entrance end of the machine (at the left as viewed in Fig. 1); The thickness gauge -B determines `the thickness of each sheet as it passes therethrough. After leaving the thickness gauge, the sheets are propelled in a continuousprocession `along a straight path of travel through a plurality of sorting stations D, E, F, G, having sheet delivery devices H which are controlled by the gauge B and which operate in timed rel-ation in accordance with their distance from the gauge to divert the sheets from their path of travel and deposit them onto stacks J, K, L, M according to their `classified thickness. i

By'way of example, sheets havinga 'thickness vbelow .0075 inch may be diverted onto `stack J.

Sheets having a thickness of between .0075 and .0088 inchmay be diverted onto stack KL. Sheets between .0089 and .0099 inch in thickness may be deposited onto stack L. Those. having a frange of .010 to .0115 inch in thicknessmaybe deposited onto stack M, and all sheets over .0115 yinch thickness may be discharged from the far .i end of the machine (at the right as viewed in Fig. 1) as unclassified and deposited on a miscellaneous stack O.

The classifier or thickness gauge B may be of any suitable type such as that disclosed in United i States Patent 2,307,572, issued January y5, 1943 to ,Rh H Cramer on @gauging` and Sorting Machine or in United States Patent 2,219,622 issued October 29, 1940A` toil). Buccicone on Thickness Gauge.

'bers of.Y the main frame. yguides 65 (see also Figs. 11 and 12) secured to the 3 Briefly such a gauge includes a xed gauging element 2| (Figs. 1 and 2) and a yieldable gauging element 22 between which the sheet is interposed for gauging. The yieldable gauging element is carried on a movable member 23 which actuates a movement amplifying arm 24 which also serves as an electric contact arm for making electrical contact selectively and in accordance with the thickness of a sheet being gauged, with any one of a plurality of contacts 26, 21, 28, 29 (Fig. l) of electric control circuits 'which lWill be hereinafter explained in connection with the wiring diagram and whichare utilized Yto divert a gauged sheet into position onV its proper stack as hereinbefore mentioned. Such a gauge is carried on a bracket 3| bolted to along frame 32 which constitutes the main frame of the machine.

The sheets A are propelled through the.

machine, including the thickness gauge B, in a horizontallat position, by an endless chain conveyor 35 which extends the full length of the machine, throughthe sortingstations D, E. F, G. This, conveyor is provided with spaced feed dogs 36 for propelling engagement behind the sheets. The conveyor operates over an idler sprocket 31 and adriving sprocket 38. The idl'ersprocket is mounted on a cross shaft 39 journaled in a bearing bracket 4| securedto the main frame 32 at the feed-in or entrance end of the` machine. jlhe `driving sprocket 38 is'mounted on a drive shaft 4 3 journaled in a bearing bracket 44 secured to thermain frame at the discharge end of the machine. Y A y lThe conveyor 35is, operated continuously by Va chainrand gear connection with a Vcontinuously rotating main shaft 45 (Figs. 1 and 5) which extends along one side ofthe main frame 32 and which isvjournaled in va plurality of spaced bearing brackets 46 secured to leg sections 41 of the frame., For this purpose the sprocket .drive shaft 43 carries a driving sprocket 5| which is driven by an `endless chain52 from a driving 4sprocket 53 carriedfon the outerrend Yof a short shaft 54 journaledin thebearinglbracket 46 at the dischargegend'of the machine. The inner end of .the short shaft '4carries a`bevel gear 56 (see Fig. ,frwhichnrneshes `with and is driven by a bevelfgearr51 mounted o`n the end of the main s haft45. ,v The` mainshaft may be rotated in any suitable manner, and at a rate of speed of one revolution for each sheet A fed through the gaugingdeviceB, v .i K

During passage ofthe sheetsA through the machine, they are supportedvin their horizontal flat position on aytable 6| (Fig. 5).` This table comprises a plurality of spaced and parallel slats .62 which extend longitudinally pf the machine in' short sections providing a transverse V,spa'cew63 (see also Figs. 3, 4, 12) ateach of the sortingstations D, E, F, G adjacent theleg sections 4| of the main frame 32. These slats are secured, to crossbeains 64 which constitutetransverse mem- Longitudinal side vmain frame along opposite sidesof the path of travel of the sheets maintain the sheets in a straight line as they pass through the machine.

The transverse spaces 63 in the table 6|. provide outlets through which Vthe Vgauged sheets lmay. be diverted to the stacks J, K, L, M, at their respective sorting stations D, E, F, G as herein- Abefore mentioned. Y Diversion or deflection of 'the sheets through these 'spaces` 63 is effected by ""gates 68 `which are* disposed Within the spaces and which form part of the sheet delivery devices H. There is one of these gates 68 for each space 63.

The gates 68 comprise a plurality of short fiat cantilevers 69 which are disposed inline with the table slats 62 and which form movable continuations thereof. The top surfaces of these cantilevers are normally flush with the top surfaces of the slats 62 to facilitate travel of the sheets along the table 6|. These cantilevers are mounted on rockshafts which extend across the machine and which are carried in bearings 'I2-(see Figs. 11 and 12) formed in the main frame 32. There is one of these rockshafts for each gate 68.

Along one side of the machine, as Viewed in Figs. 1 and 5 each rockshaft v|| carries a gate actuating arm 'l5 (see Figs. 3, 4, 11 and 12) which extends down adjacent the path of travel of a reciprocating latch nger '|6 mounted on a pivot pin carried in collar 18 clamped onto a slide bar '|9. The bar is supported in slide bearings 8| formed on the leg sections 4l of the main frame 32. lThere is one latch finger 'I6 located at each sorting station D, E, F, G and they are all mounted on and reciprocated simultaneously by the slide bar 19 in time with the passage of the sheets A through the machine.

Reciprocation of the slide bar 'I9 is effected by a vertically disposed lever 83 (Fig. 1) which is located at the discharge end of the machine and which is mounted on a pivot pin 84 carried in a bracket 65 bolted to the leg section 4l of the frame at the discharge end of the machine. The upper end of the lever is bifurcated and straddles a grooved collar `86 secured to the slide bar. The lower end of the lever carries a cam roller which operates in a cam'groove 8l of a barrel cam 488 mounted on and rotating with the main shaft 45.

The slide bar l!!V makes one reciprocation which includes a forwardV or working stroke and a return stroke, for each "sheet A fed through the gauging device B. Upon each forward stroke (toward the left as viewed in Figs.v 1, 3, 4 and 5) of the slide bar '79, the latch fingers 16 move along a path of' travel extending alongside of the gate actuating arms? 5 but do not engage the arms unless they are shifted inwardly toward the arms. This lateralshfting of a latch nger 16 is effected only when a gauged sheet isA` to be diverted at the particular sorting station at which the shifted latch nger is located.

lLateral shifting of a latch finger 'I6 is brought about through a shift plate 9| (Figs. 1, 3, 4, l1 and 12) disposed adjacent the path of travel of the latch ngers 76. There is one of these shift plates 9| for each linger and these plates guide the fingers during their reciprocating movement. For this purpose each finger I6I carries a roller 92 (Fig. l2) Which rides on the inner surface of its cooperating shift plate 9|. The roller is maintained under pressure in position against the plate by a compression spring 93 which is interposed between the back of the latch nger and a support' lug 94 formed on the adjacent collar 18.

The shift plates 9| are formed on the outer ends of plate arms 96 (Figs. 11 and 12) which are mounted on pivot pins 91 carried in the main shaft bearing brackets 46 bolted to the frame legs 4l. The arms are held under spring pressure by a tension spring lill. One end of the spring is connected to a pin |62 which depends from the arm and the other end of the spring is connected by a pin |03 to the frame leg 4l. A lug |04 projecting out from the frame leg engages the spring pin |02 andli'mits the outward movement of the plate arm 96.

Each plate arm 96 is formed with an angularly disposed trip lever |08 which extends outwardly adjacent a timing device |09. There is one timing device for each sorting station D, E, F, G and each device includes a rotatable trip drum` mounted on one end of a short shaft H2 journaled in a bearing H3 formed in the bearing bra-ckets 46.

The shafts ||2 are continuously and independently driven at different rates of speed in accordance with the distance of the sorting station from the gauging station. For this purpose each of the shafts |'|2 carries a gear ||5 which meshes with and is driven by a cooperating driving pinion I I mounted on the main shaft 45. A There is one pinion ||6 and one gear ||'5 for each trip drum At the ilrst sorting station (D) the pinion and the gearare of equal diameters thus making the ratio 1 to 1. Hence at this station the trip drum is rotated at the same speed as the main shaft 45 and makes onerevolutionfor each sheet A since this station is located a distance equal to one sheet away from the gauging station. At the second sorting station (E) the gear ratio is 2 to 1, the gear being twice the ldiameter of the pinion. Hence the drum at this station rotates one half the speed of the main drive shaft 45 and makes one half a revolution for each sheet A, since it is two sheets distant from the gauging station. Similarly the gear ratio at sorting stations F and G are 3 to 1 and 4 to 1 respectively, thus driving the drums at these stations at one third and one quarter respectively of the speed of the main shaft. Hence the drums at these stations make respectivelyone third and one quarter revolutions for each sheet A since they are three and four sheets distant from the gauging stations.

Each of the trip drums |I| carry trippins ||8 (see Fig. 6) which are slidably disposed adjacent the periphery of the drums in transverse bores H9 extending through the drums from one side to the other and which project beyond the drum on the side opposite the trip levers |08 as best shown in Fig. 4. The drum at sorting station D carries one of these trip pins |8 diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 7. IThe drum at station E carries two pins located in diametrically disposed relation as in Fig. 8, and the drums at stations F and G carry three and four pins respectively as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

As the drums rotate, the projecting ends of the pins H8 move past a depending leg |22 (Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 11) of a bell crank timing lever |23 connected to and actuated by a movable element |24 of a normally de-energized electric solenoid |25. There is one of these solenoids for each sorting station D, E, F and G and they are carried on iiat plates |26 which are bolted onto the slide bar bearings 8| formed on the main frame 32. The bell crank lever for each solenoid is mounted on a pivot pin |21 carried in a pair of lugs |28 (Figs. 6 and 11) formed on the support plates |26. i

Each of the solenoids |25 are connected electrically with the gauging device B and are energized and de-energized selectively in accordance with the thickness of a sheet passing through the gauging device. For this purpose the gauging device B is connected by a wire |3| (Fig. l) to a source |32 of electric current which in turn is connected to a main lead wire |33 having wires |34, |35, |36, |31 leading therefrom lar mannerthe four solenoids are connected by separated wires |38. |39, |40, |4| to the respectiveelectric contacts 26, 21, 28, 29 of the gauging device B.

`Hence when a sheet A passes between the fixed element 2| and the yieldable gauging element 22 ofthe gauging device B, the yieldable gauging element 22 is raised or otherwise shifted in accordance with the thickness `of the sheet and thereby causes one of the contacts 26, 2'1, 28, 29 through the medium of the gauge amplifying arm24 to be connected with the source |32 of electric current. An electric circuit is thereupon immediately established through the solenoid` |25 connected with the closed contact and this immediately energizes the solenoid. The circuit is maintained for as long a period of time as the sheet remains in the gauging device B and is broken as soonas the sheet leaves the gauging elements 2|, 22.

Energization of a solenoid |25 immediately depresses its movable element |24 (Fig. 6) and this rocks the bell crank timing lever |23 so that its depending leg |22 engages against the projecting inner end of the trip pin ||8 at station D (or one of the trip pins ||8 in the case of all of the other timing devices) and thus pushes the engaged pin outwardly so that its outer end will project beyond the outer face of its trip drum adjacent the trip lever |08 of this timing device as shown in Fig. 4. This engagement of the trip pin H8 takes place at a predetermined place in its cycle of travel with its `drum and is synchronized with the operation of the gauging device B so that the pin H8 will always be inthe same place at the time the solenoid |25 is energized. This predetermined place of engagement is different for each timing device |09, as schematically illustrated by the full line pins ||8 shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, in order that the depending legs |22 of the timing devices |09 engage the pins H8 when the latter are at their proper places of engagement. As for example the leg |22 at the sorting station D is curved as shown in Fig. 11 and terminates opposite the pin ||8 shown in that iigure. If desired the solenoids may be located at these predetermined places of engagement instead of in the straight line arrangement shown in the drawings and the legs |22 all made short and straight as in the case illustrated in Fig. 10 which represents the sorting station G.

In any case, a trip pin H9 which has been set," by being shifted so that its outer end projects beyond the outer face of its drum |8 travels with the drum during its rotation and engages against and lifts the adjacent trip lever |08 at the sorting station adjacent the energized solenoid after a predetermined length of time in accordance with the distance of the sorting station from the gauging station and after the sheet has been gauged at the gauging station.

In the case of the rst station D this engagement takes place immediately as disclosed by reference to Fig. 7. In the case of the second station E: this engagement takes place after the set pin H8 has traveled through one half a revolution of its drum as shown in Fig. 8. At stations F and G this engagement takes place after two thirds and three quarters respectively of a. revolution of the drums as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. This timing is brought about by the timing gears H5, H6.

The engagement of a set pin H8 with its trip lto the four solenoids |25 respectively- `In a simi-` ,vs lever |08 forces the trip arm 00 at a station in- 7 wardlyvandthus pushesthe latch iinger 'I6 at this* v"station Vinwardly into alignment .with the gate actuating arm 'lliV located at .this same station. rIfhis inward movement of the latch finger 'I6 takes place as Iit-isimoving forward through av working stroke ofltheslide bar 19.' "1 Hence withV thelatch ngerzheld in this position by engagement of the set pin ||8 with its trip lever |08, it engages. and rocks the gate actuating arm'l andV thereby raises ,the ,gate cantilevers 69 just as the gauged sheet Atraveling along `the table 6| approaches 'the sorting station D, E, E or vGr having the timing device whichthegauging deviceB has energized. .This raisingof the cantilevers 69 at a station brings them into the position shown in Fig. 4 and thus deflects the' approaching sheetV from the table 6| toone ofthe stacks J, K, L, or` M as shown in Figl. vThe stacks preferably are arranged on skids |45 so that the `gauged stacks` of sheets maybe readilyremoved to any suitableplace of deposit. Y

As soon as agauged sheet A has been diverted from the table 5I to its place on the proper stack J, K, L, or M, the slide bar 'I9 starts back through a return stroke and thus permits the raised canti- -levers 69 to move 'down intotheir normal closed position. During this return stroke of the slide bar '19,' the set.pin II8 rides'o the trip lever |08 and this permits the lever and its associated trip arm-945' to fall-back under the tension of the spring IBI. This also releases thelatch n- 'ger I6 and permits it to :move outwardly away from the-pathl of .travel of the gate actuating arm '15- wherezit is :in readiness for a repeat movement `for the nextfsheet A which is to be diverted .at this station. w As `a set pin` ||8 rides off its trip lever |08 :it iis shifted back into itsnormal position out of the way of the trip lever, with its inner end projecting from the innerrface of its drum I I I. This iseffected by a' stationary reset cam lill (Fig. 1.1) which projectsldownwardly from the sole- -no'idsupport plate 1.26 on the main frame 32 and 'extendsadjacent thek drums into the Vpath of travel of the pin .I I8. 'There is one of these re- 1setrcams .|41 for each drum I II and they are en- .gaged by the pins Yas the `latter `pass them for pushing them back into place.

In this manner, each sheet lA as it enters .the .gauging device B,. energizes the solenoid of one of the sorting stations D, E, F or vG which corresponds to" the thickness -ofthe sheet -and `thereby sets a continuously operating time de- :layror timing device |119 so thatY when the sheet af-ter being gauged reaches-that particularstaftion it. will-be diverted onto astack of s-heets hav ving -the same thickness range.

It is thought that the invention and many of Vits-attendant advantages will be understood from "the foregoing description, vand it will 'be Yapparent that various'changes-may be made `in the form, construction 'and arrangement'of the parts with- `out departing from the spirit and scope of the "invention or sacrificing all'ofv its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a 'preferred embodiment thereof. y I claim:

1. In a machinefor sorting sheets of material in accordance with their dimensional or other characteristics, the combination of a gauging de- `:vice through which the sheets are fed one at a time, a conveyor for propelling the gauged sheets Yalongapredetermined path of travel-through a "plurality of sheet sorting stations disposed at `diverting gates at Yeach of said sorting stations v-for diverting a gauged sheet from said path of travel, actuating-arms on said gates, a continu- 8 variousdistances from said gauging device, sheet diverting means at each of said sorting stations for diverting Aagauged sheet from saidA path vof travel, timing mechanisms located at each of said sorting stationsand having trip devices increasing in number substantially.proportionately with the distance of each timing mechanism from said gauging device, said trip devices being controlled selectively. by said gauging device for actuating said `diverting means, and means for actuating each of..said timingxmechanisms at a diiierent rate of speed relative to the speed of travel of the sheets propelled by said conveyor and in Vaccordance with the distance of the timing mechanisms from said gauging device.

2. In a machine for sorting sheets of material inV accordance with their dimensional or other characteristics, the combination of a gauging device through which Vthe sheets are fed one Yat a time, a conveyor for propelling thegauged sheets along Aa predetermined path of travel through a plurality of sheet sorting stations disposed at various distances from said gauging device, sheet divertingV means at each of said sorting stations for diverting aY gauged sheet from said path of travel, a rotatable timing drum located at each of said sorting stations and controlled selectively by saidgauging device, each of said timing drums having protractable timing pins increasing in number substantially proportionately with the distance of the drum from said gauging device for actuating said diverting means, and means for actuating each of said timing drums at a different rate of speed relative to the speed of travel of the sheets propelled by said conveyor and in accordance with the distanceof Vthe timing drums from said gauging device.

3. In a machine for sorting sheets lof material in accordance with their dimensional or other characteristics, the combination of a gauging device through which the sheets are fed one ata time, a conveyor for propelling the gauged sheets along a Ipredetermined path of travel through a plurality of sheet sorting stations disposed at various distances from said gauging device, sheet diverting gates at each of said sorting stations for diverting a gauged sheet from said path of travel,

tions and controlled selectively by said gauging device for actuating said trip elements, and

means for actuating each of said timing devices at. a different rate of speed relative to the speed Vof travel of the sheets propelled by said conveyor Vand in accordance with the distance of the timing devices from said gauging device.

4. In a machine for sorting sheets of material lin Aaccordance with their dimensional or other characteristics, the combination of a gauging device through ywhich the .sheets are Lied one at a kvti1fne,.a conveyorifor propelling the gauged sheets -along .a predetermined path of travel through .a plurality of `sheet sorting stations disposed at various distances from said gauging device, sheet ously reciprocating slide bar disposed adjacent said gate actuating -arms andoperatinginftime with the travel of said sheets propelled by said conveyor, a latch finger for each of said gate actuating arms, said latch fingers being movable by said bar along a path of travel adjacent said arms, trip levers disposed adjacent said arms and engageable selectively with said latch ngers for shifting the fingers into engagement with said arms for actuating said gates selectively, timing devices located at each of said sorting stations and controlled selectively by said gauging device for actuating said trip levers, and means for actuating each of said timing devices at a different rate of speed relative to the speed of travel of the sheets propelled by said conveyor and in accordance with the distance of the timing devices from said gauging device.

5. In a machine for sorting sheets of material in accordance with their dimensional or other characteristics, the combination of a gauging device through which the sheets are fed one at a time, a conveyor for propelling the gauged sheets along a predetermined path of travel through a plurality of sheet sorting stations disposed at various distances from said gauging device, sheet diverting means at each of said sorting stations for diverting a gauged sheet from said path of travel, reciprocating latch means at each sorting station and having continuous movement ad- 10 jacent each of said sheet diverting means, each latch means being selectively engageable with its associated sheet diverting means by lateral movement of the latch means, timing devices located at each of said sorting stations adjacent each of said latch means, said timing devices being controlled by said gauging devices to selectively move a latch means into engagement with its said diverting means in accordance with the gauging of the sheet, and means for actuating each of said timing devices at a different rate of speed relative to the speed of travel of the sheets propelled by said conveyor and in accordance with the distance of the timing devices from said gauging device.

JOHN F. PETERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,502,993 Lasker July 29, 1924 1,656,999 Bull Jan. 24, 1928 2,034,010 Thomas Mar. 17, 1936 2,217,342 Ladrach Oct. 8, 1940 

